Seat complete measuring system

ABSTRACT

A seat complete measuring system ( 10 ) for measuring the efforts and range of travel of any movable component on a seat assembly ( 12 ) comprises a seat positioning station ( 24 ) for supporting and positioning the seat assembly ( 12 ). The seat positioning station ( 24 ) includes a planar support platform ( 26 ) for fixedly securing and supporting the seat assembly and an indexing mechanism supporting the support platform for rotating platform between one of a plurality of indexing positions. A multi-axis measuring station ( 46 ) is supported at a predetermined position adjacent the seat position station ( 24 ) for cooperating with the seat assembly ( 12 ). The multi-axis measuring station ( 46 ) includes a support platform ( 48 ) fixedly secured at the predetermined position adjacent the seat positioning station, a first measuring arm movable along an x-axis, a second measuring arm ( 50 ) movable along a y-axis, a third measuring arm ( 56 ) movable along a z-axis, and a tool arm movable along a rotation r-axis for supporting a tool adapted to engage one of the components of the seat. A controller ( 60 ) is operatively coupled to the seat positioning station and the multi-axis measuring station for controlling the stations and generating outputs of the measured efforts and range of travel of one of the movable components on the seat assembly during engagement and manipulation thereof by the multi-axis measuring station while supported and positioned by the seat positioning station in one of the indexing positions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a complete measuringsystem for a seat assembly of an automotive vehicle.

[0003] 2. Background of Invention

[0004] Automotive vehicles include seat assemblies for supportingoccupants within the vehicle. Such seat assemblies include a seatcushion and a seat back coupled to the seat cushion. The seat cushion isfixedly secured to the floor of the vehicle. Often such seat assembliesinclude various movable components for adjusting the seat assembly toaccommodate and improve safety and comfort to the occupant supported bythe seat assembly. For example, the seat assembly may include a headrestsupported by the seat back and adjustable in a generally vertical up anddown direction for occupant safety and comfort. The seat assembly mayalso includes an adjuster mechanism mounted between the floor of thevehicle and the seat cushion for providing fore and aft adjustment ofthe seat assembly. Still further, the seat assembly may include arecliner mechanism interconnecting the seat back and seat cushion forproviding pivotal movement of the seat back relative to the seatcushion.

[0005] These seat components require a certain predetermined force, oreffort, for moving and adjusting the component. The seat components alsoinclude a predetermined range of movement, or travel, for adjusting thecomponent and accommodating various seat occupants. Therefore, it isoften necessary to measure the amount of effort required to operate thevarious components as well as the length, or distance, of traveldefining the range of adjustment of the various components.

[0006] Such efforts and travels may be measured manually andindividually for each component of the seat assembly. However, it isdesirable to measure any seat assembly with any of such variety ofcomponents with a complete seat measuring system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention relates to a measuring system for measuringthe efforts and range of travel of one or more movable components on aseat assembly. The measuring system comprises a seat positioning stationfor supporting and positioning the seat assembly. The seat positioningassembly includes a support platform for fixedly securing and supportingthe seat assembly and an indexing mechanism supporting the supportplatform for rotating the support platform between one of a plurality ofindexing positions. A multi-axis measuring station is supported at apredetermined position adjacent to the seat positioning station forcooperating with the seat assembly supported and positioned by the seatpositioning station in one of the indexing positions. The multi-axismeasuring station includes a support platform fixedly secured at thepredetermined position adjacent the seat positioning station, a firstmeasuring arm coupled to the support platform and movable along a firstx-axis, a second measuring arm coupled to the first measuring arm andmovable along a second y-axis, a third measuring arm coupled to thesecond measuring arm and movable along a third z-axis, and a tool armcoupled to the third measuring arm and movable along a rotational r-axisfor supporting a tool adapted to engage one of the components of theseat. A controller is operatively coupled to the seat positioningstation and the multi-axis measuring station for controlling movement ofthe stations and generating outputs of the measured efforts and range oftravel of one of the movable components on the seat assembly duringengagement and manipulation thereof by the multi-axis measuring stationwhile supported and positioned by the seat positioning station in one ofthe indexing positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Other advantages of the present invention will be readilyappreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat complete measuring systemaccording to the present invention;

[0010]FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the seat complete measuringsystem;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a seat positioning station of theseat complete measuring system;

[0012]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a support platform and pluralityof seat support fixtures of the seat positioning station;

[0013]FIG. 5 is a side view of an indexing mechanism of the seatpositioning station;

[0014]FIG. 6 is another side view of the indexing mechanism; and

[0015]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a multi-axis measuring station ofthe seat complete measuring system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] Referring to FIG. 1, a seat complete measuring system accordingto the present invention is generally shown at 10. The seat completemeasuring system 10 measures the efforts, or force, required to operatea moveable component on an automotive vehicle seat assembly and alsomeasures the travel, or range of movement, of the component. The seatassembly is generally shown at 12 in FIG. 1. The seat assembly 12includes a seat cushion 14 and seat back 16 coupled to the seat cushion12. The seat assembly 12 is adapted to be fixedly secured to the vehicleby a riser 18 secured to the bottom of the seat cushion 14. The seatassembly 12 of FIG. 1 includes a plurality of moveable components.Specifically, the seat assembly 12 includes a headrest 20 coupled to thetop of the seat back 16 and moveable in a generally vertical, or up anddown, direction relative to the seat back 16. The seat assembly 12 alsoincludes an armrest 22 pivotally coupled to the side of the seat back 16and moveable between an upright stowed position, as shown in FIG. 1, andan extended use position generally perpendicular to the seat back 16.The seat assembly 12 may also include various other movable components,such as seat adjustors, seat back recliners, underseat storage bins, andthe like, as are commonly known to one skilled in the art.

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the seat complete measuring system10 includes a seat positioning station 24 for supporting and positioningthe seat assembly 12. The seat positioning station 24 comprises asupport platform, or buck, 26 of a generally planar and rectangularconfiguration for fixedly securing and supporting the seat assembly 12.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 4, a variety of seat support couplings 28, 30,32 are fixedly secured to the support platform 26 for receiving andfixedly mounting the seat assembly 12 to the support platform 26. Theseat support couplings 28, 30, 32 are positioned at various positionsand spacings along the support platform 26 in order to accommodate avariety of configurations of seat assemblies. That is, the seat supportcouplings 28 are positioned and spaced to receive and mount abucket-type seat assembly 12 to the support platform 26 as shown. Theseat support couplings 30 may be used to receive and mount a widersecond row bench-type seat assembly and the seat support couplings 32may be used to receive and mount an even wider third row bench-type seatassembly to the support platform 26. It should be appreciated,therefore, that any type, size and configuration of seat assembly may besupported and mounted on the support platform 26 by varying the seatsupport couplings.

[0019] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the seat positioning station 24further includes an indexing mechanism 34 supporting the supportplatform 26 for rotating the support platform 26, and thus the seatassembly 12, between one of a plurality of indexing positions. Theindexing mechanism 34 includes housing 36 encasing a rotatable turntable38. A motor 40 is secured to the housing 36 and coupled to the turntable38 for rotating the turntable 38 three hundred sixty degrees about avertical axis. The indexing mechanism 34 further includes a plurality ofspaced apart proximity sensors 42, 44 spaced from the housing 36 andseated immediately adjacent to the bottom of the support platform 26 forlocating, identifying and defining the indexing positions upon rotationof the turntable 38 and seat assembly 12.

[0020] Referring to FIG. 7, the seat complete measuring system 10further includes a multi-axis measuring station 46. The multi-axismeasuring station 46 is supported at a predetermined position adjacentto the seat positioning station 24 for cooperating with the seatassembly. 12 supported and positioned by the seat positioning station 24in one of the indexing positions. The multi-axis measuring station 46includes a support platform 48 fixedly secured at the predeterminedposition adjacent the seat position station 24. The support platform 48may locate, secure and support the measuring station 46 at any desiredpredetermined position around the perimeter of the seat positioningstation 24 and be spaced any desired and predetermined distancetherefrom without varying from the scope of the invention. A firstmeasuring arm 50, having an elongated and generally rectangularconfiguration, is slidably coupled to the support platform 48 andmovable along a first x-axis as shown in FIG. 7. A second measuring arm52, also having an elongated, generally vertical and rectangularconfiguration, is slidably coupled to the first measuring arm 50 andmovable along a second y-axis. The y-axis is generally along the sameplane but perpendicular to the x-axis. A third measuring arm 54 iscantilevered from the second measuring arm 52 and slidable along a thirdz-axis. The z-axis is generally vertical and perpendicular to both thex-axis and y-axis. Finally, a tool arm 56 is rotatably coupled to thedistal end of the third measuring arm 54 and movable along a rotationalr-axis. The tool arm 56 supports a tool adapted to engage one of thecomponents of the seat assembly 12, such as the headrest 20 or armrest22. The tool arm 56 includes a proximity and force sensor 58 formeasuring the effort, or force, applied to move the seat component andfor measuring the travel, or range of motion, of the component.

[0021] Referring back to FIG. 1, the seat complete measuring system 10further includes a controller 60 operatively coupled to the seatpositioning station 24 and the multi-axis measuring station 46 forcontrolling the movement of the seat positioning station 24 between theindexing positions and the movement of the arms 50, 52, 54, and 56relative to the seat 12. The controller 60 also measures and outputs theefforts and range of travel of the movable component on the seatassembly 12 during engagement and manipulation thereof by the multi-axismeasuring station 46 while supported by the seat positioning station 24in one of the indexing positions. The controller 60 is programmable bysoftware or operable manually such as by a teach pendant.

[0022] In operation, any type of seat assembly 12 may be mounted by theseat support couplings 28, 30, 32 and supported by the support platform26 of the seat positioning station 24. Once it is determined whichcomponent of the seat assembly 12 is desired for measuring, the indexingmechanism 34 rotates the support platform 26, and seat, until thesensors 42, 44 locate the support platform 26 in one of the indexingpositions with the component facing or adjacent to the tool arm 56 ofthe multi-axis measuring station 46. An appropriate tool is secured tothe tool arm 56 for engaging the component, such as the armrest 22 andthe multi-axis measuring station 46 is initialized and programmed tolocated the tool arm 56 and tool for engagement with the component. Thearms 50, 52, 54 and 56 may now automatically manipulate the componentthroughout its designed range of motion via movement in the x, y, z,and/or r-axes. For example, the multi-axis measuring station 46 may onlyhave to move the headrest 20 vertically along the z-axis by movement ofthe third measuring arm 54. The proximity and force sensor 58 on thetool arm 56 measures the effort, or force, required to move thecomponent as well as the length of travel, or range of motion, of thecomponent. The sensor 58 outputs the measurements to the controller 60for interpretation by an operator. The seat complete measuring system 10allows the operator to determine whether any of the various componentsof the seat are with acceptable design tolerances of effort and travel.

[0023] It should be appreciated that either the seat positioning station24 or the multi-axis measuring station 46 may include means forproviding the movement and positioning of the seat assembly 12 or one ofits components in any of the x, y, z, and/or r-axes.

[0024] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, andit is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, isintended to be in the nature of words of description rather than oflimitation.

[0025] Many modifications and variations of the present invention arepossible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practised other than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A measuring system for measuring the efforts andrange of travel of one or more movable components on a seat assembly,said measuring system comprising: a seat positioning station forsupporting and positioning the seat assembly, said seat positioningstation including a support platform for fixedly securing and supportingthe seat assembly and an indexing mechanism supporting said supportplatform for rotating said support platform between one of a pluralityof indexing positions; a multi-axis measuring station supported at apredetermined position adjacent said seat positioning station forcooperating with the seat assembly supported and positioned by said seatpositioning station in one of said indexing positions, said multi-axismeasuring station including a support platform fixedly secured at saidpredetermined position adjacent said seat positioning station, a firstmeasuring arm coupled to said support platform and movable along a firstx-axis, a second measuring arm coupled to said first measuring arm andmovable along a second y-axis, a third measuring arm coupled to saidsecond measuring arm and movable along a third z-axis, and a tool armcoupled to said third measuring arm and movable along a rotationalr-axis for supporting a tool adapted to engage one of the components ofthe seat; and a controller operatively coupled to said seat positioningstation and said multi-axis measuring station for controlling themovement of said stations and generating outputs of the measured effortsand range of travel of one of the movable components on the seatassembly during engagement and manipulation thereof by said multi-axismeasuring station while supported and positioned by said seatpositioning station in one of said indexing positions.
 2. A completemeasuring system as set forth in claim 1 further including a forcesensor coupled to said tool arm for sensing the force required formoving one of the movable components on the seat assembly and aproximity sensor for sensing the range of motion of the movablecomponent.
 3. A complete measuring system as set forth in claim 2wherein said indexing mechanism includes a housing for supporting arotatable turntable connected to said support platform of said seatpositioning station for rotating said seat positioning station betweenone of said indexing positions.
 4. A complete measuring system as setforth in claim 3 wherein said indexing mechanism includes at least oneproximity sensor adjacent said support platform of said seat positioningstation for locating, identifying and defining said indexing positionsupon rotation of said turntable.
 5. A complete measuring system as setforth in claim 4 wherein said indexing mechanism includes a motorsupported by said housing and coupled to said turntable for selectivelyrotation said turntable and said support platform between said indexingpositions.
 6. A complete measuring system as set forth in claim 5wherein said support platform of said seat positioning station includesa plurality of coupling mounted thereto for receiving and securing theseat assembly to said support platform.
 7. A complete measuring systemas set forth in claim 6 wherein said first measuring arm includes agenerally elongated and horizontal member slidably connected to saidsupport platform of said multi-axis measuring station.
 8. A completemeasuring system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said second measuringarm includes a generally elongated and vertical member slidablyconnected to said first measuring arm.
 9. A complete measuring system asset forth in claim 8 wherein said third measuring arm includes anelongated member slidably connected to and cantilevered from said secondmeasuring arm and generally parallel to said first measuring arm.
 10. Acomplete measuring system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said thirdmeasuring arm-includes a distal end rotatably supporting said tool arm.11. A complete measuring system as set forth in claim 10 furtherincluding at least one motor coupled between said multi-axis measuringstation and said controller for automatically controlling and movingsaid measuring arms and said tool arm along said axes in response tosaid controller.